It’s hot. H-O-T! And do you agree with me that when the weather is like this that the last thing you want to do is turn on your oven, or really even your stove?! Summer meals in my house incorporate many more fresh ingredients, and we also turn to meal ideas that take little to no cooking.

And that means that we eat a lot of sandwiches over the summer!

We don’t eat sandwiches often during the rest of the year, so it’s fine for us to have a sandwich season in our house. But Even though the “season” just lasts a few months, I can get bored with my sandwich options after just a few weeks. I get stuck in a rut and find myself eating the same boring things over and over again, just because I don’t know what else to do, nor do I have any cool ingredients on hand.

But not anymore! Today I’m featuring some products that really need to go on your next grocery list, because they are probably not things that you think to include, but if you have them, they can revolutionize your sandwiches (promise!).

Mezzetta is a family-owned business that has been operating since 1935 and is based in Napa Valley, and they are the leading producer of glass-packed peppers, olives and specialty foods in the United States! They offer a wide-variety of products that you can read about here.

I’ll pause while you wipe the drool off your mouth…

All better? Ok.

We were sent a few products that are especially useful for taking your sandwich from, “Meh” to “MEZZETTA!!!” 😉 You guys, I had NO idea what a humongous difference a little swipe of pesto on a sandwich would make. It’s a huge game-changer! Or have you ever thought of trying roasted red bell pepper strips on your boring turkey sandwich? Oh yes, it’s not boring, anymore! And don’t even get me started on the power of sundried tomatoes. Oh. my. word. Divine!!!!

These are things I’ve seen before in fancy-pants sandwich shops. Occasionally, I’ll spring the $8 for one of those sandwiches. But why? You can totally make this stuff at home for a fraction of the price! You just need a little help from Mezzetta!

If you are feeling inspired by these sandwich savers, then listen closely: you can turn your culinary wizardry into $25,000! From now through September 5th, you can submit your best jazzed-up sandwich idea and be entered to win! They also have some excellent sandwich ideas from celebrity chefs on the site, so be sure to stop by. Someone is going to win this money….why shouldn’t it be you???

Buy it!: If your local grocer is wise to the deliciousness of Mezzetta, you should be able to find these products on your next trip to the store. But if not, never fear! Mezzetta products are available online! they are worth buying, for sure, and you can even pick up a few extra jars of products as these make excellent hostess gifts to bring along to your next dinner party.

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader is going to win a gift basket from Mezzetta (sponsor’s choice!). The contest will run until July 18th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: This contest is open to all my email an RSS subscribers! All you have to do is subscribe (or already be subscribed) and tell you me do so in the comments for your first entry.

1. Sponsor love: Like Mezzetta on Facebook

2. Blogger love: Like Stuff Parents Need on Facebook

Rare bonus entry: Tell me which Mezzetta product you want to try!

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of the page.